Joint for artificial legs.



J. L W. H. WAMBSGANS.

JOINT POB. ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

APPLIUATION FILED 11:13.27, 191s.

1,1 12,508. Patented oen. 6, 1914.

THE MORRIS PETERS C0., FHOWLITHQ, WASHINGrON, D. l:A

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB WAIVIBSGANS ANI) VJILLIAM I-I. WAIVIBSGANS, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

JOINT FOR ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JACOB WAMBSGANS andVILLIAM H. VAMBSGANS, citizens of the United States, residing at Peoria,in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in. Joints for Artificial Legs, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hinge joints particularly foruse as the knee joint for artificial legs.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of such a jointwhich is composed of few parts, is simple in construction and has adouble antifriction bearing to reduce the wear on the various parts ofthe joint.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of a joint constructedaccording to our invention, parts being broken away; Fig. 2 is a sectionon line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one member of the joint.Fig. 4 is a plan view of the other member of the oint; Fig. 5 is abottom view of a detail; Figs. 6 and 7 are different forms ofantifriction bearings.

Referring to the drawings the reference 1 designates the strap or ironconstituting one member of the joint, and 2 the strap or iron formingthe other member. The member l is provided at its extremity with acircular bearing portion or member 3, which is in the form of an annulusor ring having the circular grooves, recesses or races 4 on both sidesthereof. This member 1 has the flange or shoulder 5 adjacent the bearingmember 3 which flange is curved to correspond thereto. The other member2 is provided with the circular bearing portion or member 6 in the formof a plate having the circular groove, recess or race 7 in its top facecorresponding to the said grooves or recesses 4. This bearing member 6is further provided with t-he stud or extension 8 centrally located andprovided with the screw threaded aperture 9. This stud or extension ispreferably D-shaped having a fiat side or face 10. The curved bearingshoulder or flange 11 is provided adjacent said bearing portion ormember 6. An additional member 12 is provided having a circular portion13 to provide a cap or plate and a stud or extension 14 apertured as at15 to correspond to and fit on the stud or extension 8, therebyproviding a bearing sleeve or bushing which lits in the annular member6. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1913.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

Serial No. 750,977.

inner face of the cap or platel is grooved or recessed as at 16 toprovide a race corresponding to the race 4. The securing or assemblingmember is provided in the form of the screw 17 adapted to lit theaperture 9 and having the extended head 18 adapted to bear on the outerface of the member 12 to force the parts together.

The parts are adapted to be assembled in the manner shown with suitableantifriction bearings in the races formed by the grooves. As a preferredform we have illustrated the loose balls 19, while in Fig. 6 is shownthe retainer 2O for holding a plurality of balls 2l. Or as is shown inFig. 7 a ring 22 may be used, it being understood that any of thebearing members may fit in the races.

It is therefore evident that we have provided a joint wherein the jointoperates easily and is freed from wear due to the antifriction bearing.Further that the construction includes the fewest possible parts whichmay be readily replaced if necessary and which may be easily adjusted.

lhat we claim is 1. A hinge joint for artificial limbs, including amember having a bearing member or plate with a stud provided centrallythereon and having an annular groove or recess, a second member havingan annular bearing member provided with a groove or recess on each sidethereof and having-an enlarged aperture therethrough, an additionalmember having a cap portion provided with an annular groove or recessand a stud or extension, said stud or extension fitting in said enlargedaperture in said annular bearing member and having an aperture toreceive said first mentioned stud, antifriction balls positioned in theraces formed by said grooves or recesses and securing means connected tosaid first mentioned stud and bearing on the outside of the cap portionof-said additional member.

2. A hinge joint for artificial limbs, including a member having acircular bearing member or plate with a stud provided centrally thereonand having an annular groove or recess, said stud having a fiat face anda screw threaded aperture, a second member having an annular bearingmember provided with a groove or recess on each side thereof, anadditional member having a cap portion provided with an annular grooveor recess and a stud or extension,

8. A hinge joint igor artiicial limbs, including a member having aclrcular bearing l member or plateprovided with a circular.

screw i stud having a centrally located threaded aperture and a latface, said bearing member or plate having an annular groove or recess, asecond member having an annular bearing member provided with an annulargroove or recess on each sido thereof, an additional member having a capportion provided with an annular groove or recess on its inner face andalso having depending stud or extension, said stud or extension iittingin said annular bearing member and having a fiat sided aperture toreceive said irst mentioned stud, ball bearings positioned in the racesformed by said groove or recess, and an assembling member comprising ascrew threaded bolt adapted to enter said screw threaded aperture, andan enlarged head adapted to bear on said additional member.

In testimony whereof We aiix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

JACOB WTAMBSGANS. "WILLAM H. W'Ai/IBSGMNS. Witnesses Grieken T. BEAN,liliLDann T. BOMAN.

Copies of this patent :may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

